Intrepid German designer, David Hanaurer shows us a fascinating view of the world with his “WorldWide Carpets”. Using Google Earth and Google map images as patterns, Hanaurer has created modern versions of the Persian rug.

Original Persian rug designs were symmetrical and created by arranging a pattern around a central point. Hanaurer has succeeded in re-creating the ancient design by taking aerial views of towns and cities and mirroring the photos in 4 directions from the center, thus copying the Persian look.

Beginning his career as a tailor, Hanauer chose to broaden his skills by enrolling in the Academy of Media Arts and Design in Germany, soon describing his artistic goal as being able to create new functions for things, and not to create new forms. This innovative idea came about during a student project in 2008 and now his WorldWide carpets sell for up to 400 Euros in designer stores around Berlin! The Museum of Modern Art in New York City also sells other examples of his unique creations. The pieces deceive our eyes into seeing only the amazing patterns that David Hanauer has created, not the maps behind the designs. This is because of their un-naturally symmetrical qualities and our expectation to see things from a horizontal, rather than aerial, perspective.

Check out the video at the bottom of this post, then visit his website to see more of these awesome rugs, which can be purchased individually or tiled to carpet an entire room!

You can hear David Hanaurer’s own description of his “WorldWide Carpets” project.